n Act II, I revealed that Turkish Red Crescent (TRC) didn’t just sell tents to AHBAP. They also sold to the Turkish Pharmacists Association (TEB), the Michelin tire factory, Arçelik, and Opet. Additionally, they sold second-hand goods and food items.

Now, it’s time to unveil Act III.

THE ‘COST PRICE’ CLAIM

TRC’s president, Kerem Kınık, stated, "We sold the tents at cost price. We used the proceeds to buy fabric and will produce new tents to distribute for free." Unfortunately, I believe this claim is false.

TRC shifted from being a charitable organization to a holding company in 2018. An “A.Ş.” (joint-stock company) was established, essentially turning TRC into a commercial enterprise. This raises questions about whether donations to the charity are actually going to these commercial entities.

TRC’s website states: "TRC Tent & Textile produces tents, personal protective equipment, and textiles with the highest quality standards and an innovative approach at its production facilities in Ankara, Malatya, and Erzincan. All income from tent and textile activities is transferred to TRC and used for humanitarian aid activities."

They claim to “produce,” but this is not true.

While investigating who else bought tents from TRC, I found another piece of information. The Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) wanted to purchase tents from TRC. However, during the days TRC was selling to AHBAP, they told İBB, "We have no tents." Later, they called back saying, "We have tents," only to revert to "No tents," directing them instead to a company called Tuğba Çanta.

Desperately searching for emergency tents, İBB officials contacted the company and made the purchase. It’s normal for İBB to reach out to all possible sources to shelter citizens in the cold, but the connection between TRC and Tuğba Çanta is not.

Tuğba Çanta asked İBB for 22,500 TL per tent. What is the connection between Tuğba Çanta and TRC?

LINKS TO THE AKP

Tuğba Çanta won the tent tender TRC held in September-October. The order quantity was incredible—60,000+60,000, totaling 120,000 tents. There were even delays in delivering the tents to TRC. The company’s chairman is Ali Gökşin.

Ali Gökşin is not an unfamiliar name. He is one of the founders of the AKP's Keçiören district organization and served as a member of the AKP Altındağ Municipality and the Ankara Metropolitan Municipality councils. He even held the position of deputy chairman of the Ankara Metropolitan Municipality.

The firm, based in Ankara, was transferred from Burhan Kiriş to Ali Gökşin, Fazlı Gökşin, and Selim Gökşin in 2012 for 500,000 TL. In 2021, they increased the capital to 2 million TL.

I contacted a company representative who confirmed the tenders. I asked about İBB’s purchase, and he verified that İBB bought 500 tents.

When asked about delays, he said, "No, we are far ahead of our commitments. With 46 years of experience, we are trying to fulfill our duty in this disaster that has brought grief to our entire country. We continue 24-hour production at both the TRC tent center and our own facilities."

I also asked İBB officials. They confirmed purchasing 500 tents at 22,500 TL each, sending them to the earthquake zone immediately. Whether the price is high or low is up to public judgment, but the tents were bought out of necessity.

AFAD’S TENT CONTRACT TO TURKISH RED CRESCENT

So, are there no other tent producers? What is AFAD doing? AFAD held a tender for 120,000 tents, which TRC won. The order consisted of 60,000 + 60,000 tents. To fulfill this order, TRC outsourced production to Tuğba Çanta. One tender was awarded at 18,000 TL, the other at 22,000 TL per tent. Thus, AFAD will pay TRC approximately 2.4 billion TL for 120,000 tents.

AFAD held another tender for 50,000 tents at the beginning of the year, in two sizes: 12 square meters and 16 square meters. This tender was by invitation, including TRC and Tuğba Çanta. However, the Albayrak company won the tender.

NO TENTS DELIVERED TO AFAD

I learned that this company has not yet delivered tents to AFAD. Moreover, AFAD purchased 80,000 tents from YDS and 60,000 from Z Makine.

It turns out TRC’s claimed tent production capacity is insufficient. Therefore, they outsource production, transferring the so-called cost to subcontractors.

This raises the question: Is AFAD giving tent orders to incompetent firms?

Another question: Did TRC previously sell the tents abroad like it sold to AHBAP? Did they sell the same tents twice? I asked TRC officials, but they avoided answering.

In conclusion... In the midst of a great disaster, tents were sold like unscrupulous traders. While people were freezing, lives were bargained over. Humanity was ashamed, but they were not.